BRUNSWICK, Georgia: Feb. 13, 2009–Members of the Glynn-Brunswick
Memorial Hospital Authority have completed the Georgia Hospital Association
(GHA) Hospital Trustee Community Accountability Education Certification
Program, also known as the GHA Trustee Certification Program. Newly certified
board members include Michael Hodges, chair; Carl Alexander, vice chair;
Eric Segerberg, MD, secretary; Laura Cross-McKinley, treasurer; M.H. “Woody”
Woodside; Robert E. Griffin; Mark Bedner; Walter C. McNeely; and Carla
L. Yarbrough. This certification program is designed to bring hospital
trustees up to speed on the financial complexities of the hospital field,
promote best hospital governance practices, and encourage the coordination
of healthcare services and the best use of resources.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment for our Authority members,”
says Gary R. Colberg, FACHE, Southeast Georgia Health System President
& CEO. “This investment of their personal time underscores their
commitment to making our Authority the best it can be. Each of our members
fosters and promotes a standard of excellence that benefits everyone who
utilizes our hospital.”
By completing the program, Authority members are now able to demonstrate
that they not only understand and embrace the need for governance accountability,
but have also formally certified their adherence to governance best practices.
“The GHA Trustee Certification Program was created last year with
the recognition that the public’s confidence in governance of all
levels of American business had been severely weakened,” says GHA
President Joe Parker. “This certification program was designed to
foster a high standard of accountability and excellence at the highest
leadership levels of the hospital. We’re excited that so many hospital
trustees throughout the state are participating in this program and we
congratulate those who have already reached certification status. It’s
a great accomplishment.”
Individual trustees achieved certification by completing education on healthcare
and leadership topics. They were required to complete 12 hours of approved
course work per year to meet the requirements for the certification. At
least four of the 12 hours were completed by attending in-person programs.